Chapter 391

Chapter 391

“My name is Song Xiaotian.”

“Remember to come take revenge. Otherwise, even I’ll look down on you.”

Song Xiaotian patted Qingyuan’s face and provoked him arrogantly.

Qingyuan did not answer or even meet his eyes. He hurried away with his men.

As he passed Seventh Master, Seventh Master backhanded him as well.

After receiving another slap on his way out, Qingyuan froze and stared aggrievedly, unable to understand why Seventh Master had hit him.

Seventh Master withdrew his hand and chuckled. “Just saying hello…”

Qingyuan trembled with fury. He had probably never been humiliated like this, especially in front of his subordinates.

Clenching his fists, he left without another word.

“Young people today have no manners,” Seventh Master remarked.

After Qingyuan left, Song Xiaotian came over and patted my shoulder. “Cheer up. It’s your birthday. Pretend you stepped in dog shit on the way here.”

I forced a smile and said it was fine.

Who else could I blame? I was simply too weak.

I needed a gym membership and martial-arts lessons from Seventh Master and Song Xiaotian. Otherwise, the next time I met Qingyuan, he might beat me to death.

Song Xiaotian asked why I had reserved a private room.

I explained that we had many people and the main hall was noisy.

He insisted birthdays should be lively and made me cancel the room so we could eat in the hall.

I had no choice but to cancel it.

Everyone soon arrived, including Pan Xiaorou.

This was the most unusual birthday I had ever celebrated.

In previous years, even without my mother, I still had my father and grandfather.

This year, my father, grandfather, Fang Man, and my other parents were all dead.

The day should have felt desolate, yet it was unexpectedly lively.

My ties to the Six Relations were shallow, but I still had friends and brothers. That was fortune within misfortune.

The table was full of laughter. Even Anning spoke more than usual.

Partway through dinner, I saw Haidilao employees approaching with a “Happy Birthday” sign.

And it wasn’t one employee. It was an entire group!

I suddenly remembered Haidilao’s special service. They sang their exclusive birthday song for celebrating customers.

The service was mortifying!

But worse humiliation followed.

Song Xiaotian climbed onto a chair, produced a microphone, and even pulled out a subwoofer.

A terrible feeling rose inside me.

No wonder he had demanded Haidilao and made me cancel the private room.

What a bastard!

“Brother! I’m begging you!”

“Don’t humiliate me in public!”

My face flushed as I pleaded with him.

It was already too late.

Wearing an obscene grin, Song Xiaotian even led the employees into the song.

“Say goodbye to every worry!”

“Say hello to every joy!”

“Hey!”

The birthday anthem echoed throughout the Haidilao dining hall.

Anning took the birthday crown from an employee and placed it on my head.

That damned Song Xiaotian sang one line, then handed the microphone to several female college students at the next table and made them continue.

Soon, nearly every customer in the hall was singing, and every eye focused on me.
I wanted to hide beneath the table, but Meng Yifan and Xie Peng pulled me to my feet.

Damn it!

How was this different from making me defecate in the street?

…

The birthday was mortifying but joyful.

After dinner, everyone went home.

Naturally, I returned to Meng Yifan’s place.

For the next week, I worked normally and kept regular hours.

I did not return to the Tan estate. Seventh Master probably did, but he never asked me to join him.

I called him every day to ask about his progress. There seemed to be none. He always sounded exhausted and hung up after only a few words.

Still, I called daily to confirm he remained safe.

About ten days later, on my day off, I slept until ten in the morning.

Soon after I washed up, Seventh Master called and asked me to meet two people at a restaurant.

He had only just left home and told me to wait outside the restaurant.

When we met, he explained some of the situation and led me toward a private room.

We stopped outside and listened first.

“Mr. Tan, hiring me alone would have been enough. Give me one week at most, and I’ll resolve this.”

“Seventh Master Zhao charges a considerable fee, and he’s already old. Why pay a second person?”

The voice belonged to an unfamiliar man.

Then Mr. Tan answered, “Master Jin, money isn’t a problem. I think two people may solve it faster. Besides, I’ve already hired Seventh Master Zhao. I haven’t paid a deposit, but a friend introduced him. Dismissing him now would be inappropriate.”

The brief exchange made the situation obvious.

Mr. Tan had hired another practitioner. Seventh Master had made no progress for so long that Mr. Tan had begun doubting him.

Seventh Master’s expression did not change. After waiting half a minute, he opened the door.

Mr. Tan hurriedly stood and invited us to sit. Master Jin rose as well and treated Seventh Master with great respect.

Another hypocrite.

“Seventh Master, let me introduce you,” Mr. Tan said with a smile. “This is Master Jin Wuju. I invited him to help you.”

Before Mr. Tan could introduce Seventh Master, Jin Wuju clasped his fists. “I’ve long heard Seventh Master Zhao’s great name. You are my senior in both experience and age. I possess little ability, and learning under you would be my honor.”

Jin Wuju was indeed young, probably not yet forty.

Seventh Master looked at him, then smiled at Mr. Tan. “Do you not trust me?”

Mr. Tan hurriedly explained, “You misunderstand. Of course I trust your ability. I must leave again soon and want this resolved quickly. I mean nothing else. Please don’t overthink it.”

Seventh Master said, “Every profession has rules. You hired me to resolve your problem. If I fail, then I lack ability, and I have no objection to you hiring someone else.”

“But this matter is inherently complex and requires time. It cannot be resolved quickly, and I never said I was incapable. Hiring another person now leaves me with no dignity.”